Harold Ford Jr. to be Kerry campaign co-chair, Jeanne Shaheen, chairwoman

[DJcairo]

More great news! Tennessee Representative Harold Ford Jr., who has endorsed John Kerry for President, will serve as the National Co-chair of the Kerry Campaign.

Rep. Ford is one of the Democratic Party’s rising stars and a prominent leader in the African-American community. Born in Memphis, Tennessee on May 11, 1970, Congressman Ford is the eldest son of former U.S. Representative Harold E. Ford and Dorothy Ford. He was elected to represent the Ninth District of Tennessee in 1996 at age 26, and is now serving in his fourth term in the House.

http://www.blog.johnkerry.com/blog/

[Nicholas_J]

1. Saw this one today but did not post it?

In politics, timing is EVERYTHING.

[salin]

2. Ford Jr

now thats a way to shore up the liberal wing of the party.

Kerry is a great candidate (quality) - but his campaign seems not to be making wise moves.

[blm]

5. Except Ford is still very close with Al Gore.

A possibly significant clue to what the future will bring.

[salin]

11. he was also pretty hostile towards Pelosi

after she won the minority leadership position. I also seem to recall - but could be wrong- that since then he has had some votes in opposition to the democratic leadershi in the house. That does happen, but it doesn't suggest that he is tied to traditional party positions. There are many others from the Congessional Black Caucus that would carry more weight within the party.

[blm]

14. I thought that was poor campaigning on his part

because he was not prepared to be minority leader in the house.

However, my point is not that Ford is black, it is that Ford has a longtime close association - personal and political - to Gore. It is quite likely that in talking with Kerry about his endorsement, Gore urged Kerry to bring Ford on board in a greater capacity.

[Mairead]

3. What a sad mistake for Kerry.

I think he has now moved far enough right that he might have trouble hanging onto his Senate seat next time. Ford could easily be a Republican. The things he was saying when he opposed Pelosi seemed fairly outrageous, coming from a nominal Dem, so I think Kerry picking him will be seen as a BIG mistake.

It wouldn't surprise me if Randy Forsberg ran against him in earnest in '08.

[George_Bonanza]

4. DU doesn't represent America

I would think that while everybody here is knowledge and a great asset to American government, we are not even close to a majority in America. I never knew who Rep. Ford was until now, but judging from a few articles I've read, he seems to be a smart young man who can get the young vote and the African-American vote, plus appeal to the moderate independents. It doesn't matter who Kerry surrounds himself with. He's been one of the best liberals in the senate for 20 years, he isn't going to renege on that. This is designed to help his campaign, it is not some ominous sign of Kerry's capitulation to the right. And remember that Kerry's biggest supporter is a real big liberal. I'm talking about Ted Kennedy.

[TheDonkey]

6. Seems balanced

Ford Jr. is a conservative Dem but that doesn't mean that he guides Kerry's policy decisions. But it does give Kerry more exposure to the african american community as well as DLCers.

[George_Bonanza]

7. Agreed

It's not like Kerry chose him to be his VP. He's there because he's a smart young politician with a potentially beneficial reach across ages and race.

[DrFunkenstein]

8. Kerry Is A Bridge Builder, Not A Polarizer

He is definitely committed to his own political vision, but he actively tries to reach out to people that don't necessarily share his ideology. That seems profoundly American to me.

[kwolf68]

9. LMAO

When groups of Republicans come out "For Dean", the Dean people claim that Dean is appealing to so many people. When Dean goes out and gets a black person to play in his campaign, he is lionized as a pragmatist who is trying to connect with black voters.

When Kerry brings in a very intelligent, articulate black DEMOCRAT from a right-wing state...Kerry is accussed of "MOVING RIGHT"...LMAO...LMAO and LMAO one more time.

Does the hypocrisy EVER end?

[George_Bonanza]

10. Good point

[salin]

12. I don't know - I am not in a camp

but Fords antics AFTER he didn't receive the votes for the minority leadership position - left a rather skeptical taste in my mouth.

I am not sure who is "for Dean", but in regards to the Clark camp, I place much more weight on the support of Rangel.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

13. The people who criticized Kerry's choice are not Dean supporters

One is a Kucinich supporter and the other appears to be undeclared.

[VermontDem2004]

15. Harld Ford Jr.

:puke: This is not good news for Kerry imo.